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OS THE WAY 
TO FREEDOM 




AWAY WITH "DIVINE RIGHT'' 




AFTER THE WAR IS OVER? 




George W. ^^orehouse 

Author "Wilderness of Worlds," Etc. 




' 1 ^HE crime of unrestricted submarine assas- 
-■■ sination was the last hope of the last of 
the Kaisers— that failing— the question of the 
liberalization of the world comes to the front. 
This is the great crisis of all human history; 
every man must do his full duty— and then 
some more. Every hour counts. Democracy 
must unite and fight to win— fight for life. 




CHICAGO, 1917 



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AWAY WITH "DIVINE RIGHT' 



It is related in history that pious King- Frederick William 
I of Prussia, father of the Great Frederick, made vast 
preparations for war, and passionately compelled his son to 
become fitted to a military career and for "defensive-offensive" 
warfare to extend the boundaries of his kingdom. The old 
king imagined that a large body of well-trained giants would 
overawe any possible enemies, and he foolishly devoted large 
sums of money to gather together, equip and maintain a regi- 
ment of giants and gigantic wives for them. 

When Frederick succeeded to the throne he inherited the 
ready army and the full treasury, together with all the "divine 
right," and without delay proceeded to use them by commenc- 
ing a war of conquest on Austria — according to the wishes of 
his royal house. He became a great strategist and met with 
such success as a general that the great powers of Europe 
combined against him. However, it remained for the present 
representatives of the same ruling family of Prussia and Prus- 
sianized Germany to invent and employ more refined methods 
of cruelty than Frederick had ever known — and that reversion 
has come after more than another century of "Christian 
civilization." 

Men are even less rigid than rubber, but when the limit 
is once reached the rebound is as sure. Representative gov- 
ernment, progressing toward pure democracy, is ideal, and at 
this hour seems to be almost in sight. 

Gigantic men, gigantic soldiers, gigantic armies, gigantic 
nations, go down to defeat because of the enemies they pro- 
voke. If they were content in the possession of their own 
just share of the little planet and its crops, their safety would 
be assured — then no invincible combinations could be formed 
against them. But they forget the fate of historic conquerors 
— ancient and modern. Frederick was content to pass his last 
years in peace — and rather admired our Washington. 

The present ambitious ruler and his group will have their 
day, and be eliminated amid crumbling thrones. Palaces will 
be gladly exchanged for cottages — to save from worse fate. 
The effete and the unworthy must give room to the products 



DOWN WITH KAISERISM 



of a higher evolution — autocracy must yield to the repre- 
sentative republican or democratic form of government—' 
government resting firmly on the consent of the governed. 
Such government, so founded, is the only one that can be 
lasting — and it must embrace individual and local self-gov- 
ernment, states, nations, and, finally, the republic of the 
world, to which all international disputes would have to be 
referred for final adjudication. 

Inventive genius is encircling the world. All peoples 
are fast becoming very close neighbors and are reaching a bet- 
ter understanding of one another. They can soon cease to 
keep up expensive division fences of bayonets, and carefullv 
provide a world power to enforce peace, safetv, justice and 
efficient cooperation. Disagreements are certain to arise 
among groups smaller than world-wide. 

The duty of the hour is union, a strong fight, workinsr 
all as one for a quick and enduring finish. T.et us all do our 
best to carry the banner of the free forward to the most ad- 
vanced position possible. 

The mistaken and ambitious "divine right rulers" have 
appealed to fire and sword. Wo to mankind through manv 
generations, if the friends of democracy are half-hearted in 
this struggle. The battle is on and near its crisis. Let free- 
men rise from the ends of the earth and make sure that cruel 
aggression sufifers defeat. The cause of liberty is now rep- 
resented by the brains, men and means that constitute the 
sinews of war. The self-glorification of the common enemv 
cannot count against the mature judgment of mankind. 
Liberty is invincible. 

. Kings, kaisers, monarchies have been tried and found want- 
ing. Democracies have been tried, and thev have served. 
Uphold them. Freedom is expensive, but is worth all it costs. 
Your boy will refuse to be bound apprentice to a king. 

Let us maintain the constitution and the laws and fol- 
low with united purpose the able President we have chosen. 
We cannot honorably and safely do otherwise. United pur- 
pose wins. The glorious legacy of freedom beaueathed to 
this generation of Americans, won and preserved bv struggles 
as hard as this of today, must be maintained in full measure 
and safely transmitted by us to posterity. 

Americans cannot dodge this dutv if thev would, and 
would not if they could. It is a sacred privilege to serve so 



UP WITH DEMOCRACY 



great and just a cause. This generation, like its ancestry, 
is worthy and the highest hopes of mankind will be fully 
justified by the emancipation of the world. Who can doubt 
that justice and right will prevail? Mother Nature has no 
favorites — the sun shines for all. 

Right noii', the Prussian military group might consent to 
a world democracy — with a Hohenzollern for emperor. Even 
a figurehead king in times of stress is a dangerous luxury. 
Nations better abstain from such indulgence and avoid setting 
or continuing bad examples. The crisis is on, and the decks 
of nations as well as ships should be cleared for most efifective 
action. Eyes to the front does not mean looking backward 
for inspiration. 

The claim of "divine rights" may cease to be classed as a 
delusion, and be treated as criminal. This course may yet be- 
come necessary in defense of justice for all. The urgent cry 
of humanity for equal rights is heard in every land. Delays 
are getting dangerous — uneasy crowned heads take notice. 
Germany must be shaken to the center by revolution of over- 
whelming defeat, to awaken her from this autocratic dream 
of power and military nightmare. 

The world is rapidly outgrowing fatherlandism, and is 
entering an era of motherlandism^ — and the mother is known 
as Mother Earth. The Sun is the father. The Sun is ris- 
ing. Let us do honor to our parents and ourselves by word 
and deed.— Truth Seeker, New York, Oct. 13, 1917. 

G. W. Morehouse. 



AFTER THE STORM OF WAR 
IS OVER? 



What shall we prepare to build? What shall democracy 
re-build? after the flood of war has subsided, after the con- 
suming fires are extinguished, after the hurricane is past and 
the skies begin to clear? This is the most important ques- 
tion. Our minds should be drawn to it in time for thorough 
study of the issues involved. Our brain matter must become 
more and more familiar with fundamental truths. The new 
world structure needs to be well founded, carefully con- 
structed and enduring — to avoid renewal of the conflict. 

Already, church buildings, and religious organizations, 
in common with other unions and groups, are being used 
for patriotic and other liberal purposes. There is no way of 
escaping natural evolution. The world moves. When the 
eagle flies its feathers go along with it. 

What material can be safely used for the foundation? 
Certainly it would be dangerous to use old discarded rubbish 
— like the twin relics of barbarism — autocracy and theology. 
We must take the later and better products of evolution — 
democracy and science. Beware of thrones of all sorts and 
sizes. 

Kaisers, kings and cabbages are alike in this — a super- 
kaiser, super-king, or super-cabbage will swell up and burst. 
Tip over cabbages and thrones when they grow too big — 
this loosens their feed roots. 

Liberty cannot long exist where thrones and pulpits 
jointly or severally thrive. Either of the two, by itself, is a 
threat, when wedded, as usually they are, danger is imminent. 
Divorce is only a palliative, — practical education in science 
and democracy is the safe and sure cure. 

Shall the throes of war be in vain? No, a thousand times, 
no. Much that is worth while shall be born ; a new era 
dawns for the inhabitants of Earth. If we perform well our 
part, the vast energies directed toward winning in the great 
conflict, at its conclusion will be diverted toward making 
life better worth living for every inhabitant of the planet. 
In the course of time wisely directed work will accomplish 



UP WITH DEMOCRACY 



wonders. But there are difficulties, principally arising from 
a great many varieties of hogs. It may be said of all of them 
that the first hog at the trough is the first at the pork barrel. 
The united world democracy will be strong enough to dump 
the big ones out of the trough into the ditch to stand an 
equal chance with the rest. 

The world democracy, united, will furnish the born 
architects, the new material and enlightened builders. It 
does not take a divine prophet to foresee great things in the 
future for emancipated truthseekers. None can foretell the 
ultimate limits that may be reached when individual initiative 
and freedom receive the powerful support of world-wide 
power. Strength and wisdom united can march onward with 
confidence — without fear of the skies, the dark, or the un- 
known. 

If democracy remains careful and painstaking in the new 
life of the world it will learn the lesson of self control, and 
will know itself and apply its energies in farsighted ways to 
improve and make serviceable natural changes and conditions. 
Painstaking, honest scientific research will guide the way and 
save from many a blundering fall. False lights in Earth or 
sky will be ignored and lie harmless in the rubbish heap of 
the decaying past. The thought and energy of the world 
can be devoted to present need and future good — to the high- 
est life of this habitable little planet. 

Life, whether individual or collective, high or low, of a 
shoal of fish or a race of men, is the adjustment of proto- 
plasm to its changing environment. As the individual fish 
or man matures, more elbow-room is required and the strong 
chief or monarchy principle is outgrown and the liberty of 
democracy is demanded. 

The life of the planet itself may be so used as to add in as 
high degree as possible to its desirability and duration. To 
this end, we must endeavor to harmonize our work with the 
methods of Nature. We can do this and at the same time 
helpfully divert our energies from destructive and harmful 
pursuits to those that are beneficial. The gun and bayonet, 
supernaturalism and monarchy, may be replaced by the plow 
and hoe, science and democracy. Only just sufficient force 
should be kept ready by the representative world government 
to maintain law and order, justice and peace. Then, with 
no time or inclination for mischief, all could do their welcome 
parts in the garden of the world and live long in comfort 
and happiness. 



DOWN WITH KAISERISM 



Is this only the dream of an idealist? Let us analyze: 

Good soldiers make good citizens, as was clearly proved, 
both sides of the line, in the years following the Civil War. 
This is especially true of men who go into the ranks to de- 
fend principles they believe" to be right. Of such men there 
are many millions in the present war. The returning veter- 
ans will be trained, disciplined, and graduated from a very 
practical school indeed. They will know the world and its 
ways much more thoroughly than the average citizen by rea- 
son of the war experience and travels. 

The soldier learns how to take care of himself, his food 
and belongings, to avoid excess and waste and be reasonable 
and obedient — he has to think and be ht. He has a fair start 
on the road to success. He has compared ideas with many 
others and knows himself. He does not shy at trifles. He 
does not fear spooks. His controlling impulse is to advance. 
As a truth loving citizen he would be expected to beware of 
pitfalls, and the wiles of political, theological or other 
enemies. He has arrived and his eyes are open. He is 
patient and slow to wrath, but abundant in righteous anger. 
He is trustworthy. He has plenty of friends and is a wall 
of defense, and knows the controlling power of the ballot and 
public opinion. In this held, also, hours of advance follow 
years of preparation. 

Even war is not all bad. Many formidable barriers to 
progress are swept away by the mighty storm of war — leav- 
ing inviting ways open to build new pathways to unite man- 
kind. Men and nations and races meet and learn to know 
one another better and all become more tolerant and friendly 
from their new and more enlightened view points. In this 
sense this last war may be regarded, like commerce, as a 
civilizer of nations. Enemies, strangers, become close neigh- 
bors, and later, friends. 

Wealth is stored energy and its gigantic power expended 
in urgent strife has vastly promoted inventive genius. Of 
this gain the new world will take quick advantage and divert 
many appliances into peaceful and harmonious channels. The 
new world embraces the old and turns it into new pastures. 

The air becomes a free and unobstructed highway for 
airplanes. The atmosphere is the highest, the deepest, the 
broadest, the safest and the greatest free ocean of the globe. 
The war will bequeath to it thousands of planes, plenty of 
inventors, builders, materials and experienced aviators. The 
airmen will have jobs, and thousands of men and women 
will connect the nations and rival the birds. 



UP WITH DEMOCRACY 



All the waters of the globe will be clotted with ships that 
can be converted into suitable bearers of the growing com- 
merce of the revived world — ships that can brave storms and 
submarines that can go safely under tempests. Thousands of 
trained men will be ready for the work. Shipyards and sail- 
ors will be busy and the commerce of the world will revive 
and the coming men will be civilized and enlightened. 

Highways and railroads, telegraphs, telephony, wireless, 
all means of transit and communication, will be improved and 
extended. Inventors and manufacturers will be busy, not on 
machines and engines of destruction, but on tractors and 
utensils to advance the general welfare. The world will move 
at an accelerated pace, and business and pleasure will chase 
each other with flying feet, — all too busy to fight. 

Straits and streams will require new and more bridges. 
Canals will connect oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, cities and agri- 
cultural and manufacturing districts. Rivers and river vallevs 
will be straightened, deepened, shortened and widened by 
Nature and work, "trench" work, machine work, for aeration, 
navigation, irrigation, until all valleys, connected, burst into 
blossom and overflow with vast riches of the harvest. Enerey 
under world-wide svstematic control for the benefit of the 
general population will bring good and certain results. 

In place of obsolete lordly mansions and palaces will be 
seen the quiet, neat little homes of the free. Quality will be 
valued, and count for far more than mere size and cost. 

In place of the broad acres of proud aristocrats, the little 
farms of five, ten, forty acres will be prized by the happv 
families that till and adorn them — each home a school of 
beauty and reason, of science and truth. 

In place of the costlv church, dodgiuQ- just taxation, will 
be built observatories, laboratories and halls to spread the 
truths of the natural sciences. More useful and less preten- 
tious buildings will suffice for schools of ethics and reason, 
history and philosophy, and general instruction and entertain- 
ment. Imposing pretention will be discounted. The coming 
man will turn a deaf ear to fakers and will have no use for 
fetishes,— neither will he be a man worshipper. His brain 
will be used as a storeroom for think stufT. 

Men shall be known bv their deeds, not bv costlv monu- 
ments, creeds, titles, pride, ereed, or familv. Democracv 
means iustice, good order, right livinp- ^nd eoualitv before the 
law and in the public opinion of mankind. Can any one give 



10 DOJVN WITH KAISERISM 

a good reason why men should not enjoy the benefits of 
democracy? 

Forget nonessentials — remember facts. Banish fear ; ig- 
nore well-paid humbugs; be never too old to learn; educate 
yourselves and your children — study thoroughly every leaf, 
every page and paragraph in the mighty book of Nature — the 
only positively known book of truth — and that truth, the liv- 
ing truth of the living universe, will make you free. 

The government formed and maintained by the free inde- 
pendent units of the emancipated world will be free, just, safe 
and pure one — a living organism, constantly growing better 
as long as the natural conditions of our planet remain endur- 
able. 

In the course of time, necessity will compel mighty im- 
provements, through the ballot^ — we can do efifective work 
along this line and hasten the day of regeneration if we are 
wise enough to use opportunities. The United States does 
not want to conquer or control other powers, but does ear- 
nestly desire to have all nations profit by the experience of 
this people. No one nation, no group of nations, is compe- 
tent to govern those who do not give their consent, but a 
helping hand may be extended. 

Let us have a steady and sure, sharp and quick, triumph 
of democracy in this war, followed by a permanent union of 
the nations. Our planet is cooling and aging — time is pass- 
ing, and it is for the people to say what they will build. 

Thinking to end this article with the above paragraph I 
laid aside my pen, but another morning has dawned and it is 
resumed. The complete victory of democracy marks the de- 
parture of savage autocracy and, perhaps, the doctrine of "di- 
vine right of kings" goes with it. We see one relic of bar- 
barism overthrown, but where is the other twin relic? It, 
too, needs must be shorn of its claim to "divine right," and be 
restricted to a human, business basis, and forever be prevented 
from mixing religion with affairs of state. The living world 
will move ahead and such impediments will be abandoned. 

What word shall we use? All men and women are more 
or less muz/^led — kept in fear — the statesman by his constitu- 
ents and the clergyman by his creed and congregation and 
they by him— the professor by his college — the husband by 
the wife, and there are the neighbors, all of us are guiltv. 
Has there ever been such a thing as full free expression ? We 
sometimes dare to whisper behind locked doors, but fear to 
launch our best thoughts in the open. 



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